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2018/EPWG/SDMOF/024 Session: Rabaul 1

Overview of the 1994 Volcanic Eruption: Response

and Early Warning System

Submitted by: Papua New Guinea

12th Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum

Kokopo, Papua New Guinea25-26 September 2018

East New Britain Provincial Administration

Papua New Guinea

Presentation to the 12th SDMOF

OVERVIEW OF THE 1994 VOLCANIC ERUPTION:

RESPONSE AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

Presentation Outline

1. Introduction

2. ENB Profile

3. Rabaul Volcano

3.1 Immediate Response

3.2 Long term Policies

3.3 Acknowledgement of partners

4. Challenges

5. Concluding Remarks

6. Recommendations

ENB Map

1.0 Introduction

East New Britain is one of PNGs most dynamic and

important socio – economic landscapes. It was the site of

the Rabaul Volcanic Eruptions disaster in 1994,

subsequently Gazelle Restoration Program

Apart from geological hazards, the province is also prone to

flooding, drought ,tropical cyclone, landslide and the

impacts of climate change and climate variability and sea

level rise.

The Province has got significant history.

2.0 ENBP PROFILE

Population: 328, 369

Male: 168,760

Female: 159,609

Pop. Growth Rate: 3.6%

Land Area: 15,816 Km2 -Arable Land (18%);Forest & Woodland (60%)

Population Density: 21 person per Km2

Districts/LLGs: 4/18

Domestic Roads: 600km

Provincial Roads: 3000km

Airports: 1

Airstrips: 10

Wharves/Jetties: 23

Police/Popn Ratio: 1/1,500

Evacuation and Contingency Plan.

Risk Map.

3.0 ENB Evacuation Plan

Establishment of the PDC

Mobilisation of stakeholders

Education and awareness

Drills and Mock exercises

4.0 Rabaul Volcano Eruption

• 1984 Eruption Preparedness – Mock Exercise, Drills by Domestic

Emergencies

• 1994 Twin Eruption – Traditional warning Methods

- Care centres

- resettlements

• Establishment of Gazelle Restoration Authority

• 2006 – impact was minimal due to the resettlement program

• 2014 – Mainstreaming of Disaster into Planning

4.1 Immediate Response

• 33,000 people affected- 12,000 from

Rabaul Town (21 surrounding area)

• 56 Wards – 4 LLGs in Rabaul District

• Care Centre (17 Wards evacuated)

• 4 main Transit Centres & Others

• Resettle – 5 major estates –

• Gazelle Restoration Authority Act

4.2 Long Term Response 1994 - 1998 Restoration and

Resettlement

1999 - 2003 Rehabilitation

and Reconstruction

Major Research &

Studies.(AUSAID

ENB Disaster Hazards

Assessment

Economic Development Study

Urban and Regional Studies

5.0 ENB DEVELOPMENT PLANS, POLICIES & REPORTS

Resettlement Policy 1997

ENB Disaster Hazards Assessment Report

ENB Economic Plan & Policies

ENB Urban and Regional Plan

ENB Strategic Development Plan

Alternate Crop Policy & Food Security

Guides the Provincial Path

Fostering Disaster Resilient Communities

The management of natural hazard impacts need combined long-term and short-term mitigation strategies.

All Hazards:

• Identification of types of Hazards

• Hazard Education. (CHARM Training)

-Intensive hazard education and public awareness programs regarding all hazards.

-Integrate hazard awareness in school curriculum.

- Direct educational links between communities, provincial government and the Rabaul

Volcanological Observatory.

• Establish a NGI Regional Natural Hazards Research Centre”

• Legislation. Risk reduction measures should be legislated.

• Integrate hazard (volcano, earthquake, flooding, landslide, tsunami & coastal erosion)

• More land for relocation programs.

• Legislate and regulate insurance policies for natural hazard events.

• Sustainable forestry program for local forest communities.

• Promote biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation

Community Response and Preparedness. Success of risk reduction measures rests on the support of local communities.

• Strengthen institutional links between local, provincial & domestic government organizations.

• Urban and Physical Planning

6.0 Challenges

7.0 Concluding Remarks

East New Britain Province is Vulnerable to all forms of

Disasters.

Integration hazard response and preparedness into the

planning systems (localised) and sectoral development

plans.

Soil erosion in the province is a Man made disaster with

flash floods destroying. Land Care Management Program.

Need for comprehensive warning System

8.0 Recommendations

Targeted research on geological, hydrological and

meteorological features.

Targeted research on Air Quality Study of the

Volcano emissions.

Policy on Digitise Warning System

Building Resilient Communities

The Government of PNG ;

World Bank

Government of Japan - JICA

European Union

Government of Australia - AUSAID

UNDP

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Others

9.0 Acknowledgement

END OF PRESENTATION

THANKYOU…